Yorkshire Award Anthony McGrath 2009 Benefit

Friday 29 August 2008

Anthony McGrath has been awarded a benefit season in 2009 by The Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Anthony progressed through the Yorkshire ranks before making his county debut in 1995 and being awarded his county cap in 1999.

Anthony played four Test matches for England in 2004 when his Test batting average of 40.20 and bowling average of 14.00 suggested what all Yorkshire supporters already know - that his undoubted talent has been underutilised at international level. 'Mags' also played in 14 One Day Internationals.

Although supporters have always pushed for an Anthony McGrath England recall the county’s faithful have been more than happy watching him wearing the white rose with pride and England's loss has definitely been Yorkshire's gain. He has mixed beligerent defence with flowing strokeplay to become the bedrock of the Yorkshire middle order, scoring runs with apparent ease against the very best the county circuit can throw at him.

With over eleven thousand first-class runs and nearly eight thousand runs in limited overs cricket Anthony has been one of the most consistent performers on the county circuit. When on song, and he rarely is not, he hits the balls crisply to all corners of the ground and is capable of destroying any bowling attack. Anthony’s contribution with ball in hand is not to be underestimated. He has taken 108 first-class wickets at only 34.23 and also ninety one-day scalps and would certainly have had more opportunity to turn his arm over if he had played for another county with fewer seam bowling alternatives.

A very popular member of the Yorkshire dressing room, Mags' unassuming public persona belies an enthusiastic sense of humour which gives him the platform to be the practical joker in the squad. He was appointed Yorkshire captain in 2004, but relinquished the responsibility when England call-ups threatened to restrict his county appearances. Anthony is the current Yorkshire vice-captain to Darren Gough and a candidate to return to the helm in 2009 after Goughy has retired.

Anthony is delighted to have been a benefit by the Club: “It is a great honour to be awarded a benefit season. To play at a club like this for fifteen-years, to be capped and now to get

a benefit is fantastic. I grew up watching all of the famous capped Yorkshire players on television and I played with a lot of famous players when I started at the Club, so to get a benefit now myself and follow in their footsteps is a really great feeling.”

Stewart Regan, Chief Executive, said: “Anthony has been an outstanding servant to the Club and fully deserves to be recognised with a benefit season next year. He is a tremendous player and popular with members, supporters and his fellow professionals. I wish him every success in his benefit season which I am sure will be extremely well supported."